Replacing Virtual Connections With Real Ones

Are Americans ready to walk away from their computers, shut down their multiple mobile devices and actually connect with other human beings? In-person? Could be—at least some of the time, according to a recent survey from CHINET. Many of the survey participants seem perpetually plugged into a large number of social media sites and technology platforms—to the point where virtual connections dominate their lives. Frankly, many of them are starting to miss having a cup of coffee (or other beverage of choice) with family members and loved ones (as opposed to BFFs) and sharing real laughs (instead of those ubiquitous LOLs). And many of the survey participants promise that they're going to start cutting back on their tech usage over the next year in order to make time for people-oriented pursuits, findings show. "Obviously, technology is an important part of our lives, but the value of face-to-face connections cannot be replaced," says Paul Huckins, a vice president with Huhtamaki, the makers of the CHINET brand. Approximately 1,000 people took part in the research.

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Replacing Virtual Connections With Real Ones

The Connected Life Survey participants say they use more than four social media/tech platforms in an average week, for a total of 23 hours.